New Jersey Devils : Breaking Down Their Playoff Chances

Heading into 2012, the New Jersey Devils stood in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. That's a far cry from last December, when they had won only nine games overall and had just deposed new head coach John MacLean.

Despite a spirited second-half run, the Devils came up just short in trying to extend their playoff run to 14 seasons. Here's some of the things they have to do to make sure recent history doesn't repeat itself.

Get Balanced Scoring

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Zach Parise, Ilya Kovalchuk and Patrik Elias can't be the ones getting all the Devils' goals.

Adam Henrique, the NHL's top rookie in December, has been a find, and David Clarkson has chipped in with some timely goals—but the Devils still need as much scoring as they can get from other players. T

That includes even Cam Janssen, who is in a scoring "race" with goalie Martin Brodeur.

The Power Play Has to Produce

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

The Devils have to score with the man advantage, simple as that—it's been an Achilles heel for them for too long. Right now, even with the likes of Parise and Elias, it's near the bottom of the league, at just over 13 percent.

Even more glaring this season has been New Jersey's penchant for surrendering shorthanded goals at an alarming rate. That has to stop if the Devils are going to get anywhere.

They could try moving Kovalchuk off the point, where he's been prone to giveaways, and set him up in the left circle for one-timers.

Goaltending Has to Come Through

Rich Schultz/Associated Press

New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur (30) keeps his eye on the puck as Columbus Blue Jackets' Vinny Prospal (22), of the Czech Republic, makes an attempt on the net in front of Devils' Mark Fayne (29) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wed

Martin Brodeur may be in the twilight of his career, but he's still capable, as is counterpart Johan Hedberg. They'll need to keep coming up with key saves and get help from their defense regarding rebounds for the Devils to advance come spring.

Stay Healthy

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

New Jersey Devils' Travis Zajac attempts to squeeze through as he is checked by Pittsburgh Penguins' Joe Vitale, right, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, in Newark, N.J. The Devils won 3-1. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

This one is obviously easier said than done, but the Devils can’t afford to have players sidelined for long periods of time, especially on defense. They also just got center Jacob Josefson back from a broken clavicle, while center Travis Zajac is still not 100 percent after off-season Achilles tendon surgery.

Brodeur himself also missed several games with shoulder woes earlier this year, and has been injury-prone in recent seasons. If he gets hurt again, it’ll be up to Hedberg to carry the load.

Hold onto Leads

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

It used to be that a two or three-goal lead for the Devils with 20 minutes to go in a game would  be all she wrote. Used to.

When the Devils get a lead, they have to protect it, especially with their penchant for surrendering shorthanded goals so far this season. They don’t have to score four or more goals a game if they can shut down the opposition.

Experience helps, but defensive stops can be accomplished with intelligence, positioning and simple hard work. New Jersey has enough grinders to do that.